Weekend Update 10.16.17

I participated in the Fergus Falls Show over the weekend and as a result, missed posting an update on Friday. So this week, we’ll have a ‘weekend update’! It wasn’t the biggest show they’ve had but it was a decent turnout. Knife sales were good and I learned a few things. Not a bad weekend!

But first, a quick review of last week. It was a short work week for me as I spent 4 days in Trestle Pine Country. This was the last camping trip for the season and we picked a fantastic time to go. The weather was gorgeous and the leaves were really at their peak for color.

Every trip always seems to have it’s highlight and this time was no exception. While we were cruising the back roads 3 timber wolves crossed the road in front of us. The first one slowed down to check us out and two more came through behind him. We’ve seen more timber wolves up there in the last 3 years than we saw in the prior 40! It’s fun to see them but from talking to a few local residents, they’re also causing problems with livestock and pets.

I got back on Wednesday, just in time to pack up for the weekend show. Now I play catch-up this week and get ready for a pheasant hunting trip next weekend in North Dakota and one last crack at the prairie dogs. Then…. I’m done for a while. Life is good!

Knives, let see, the first of the Northfield Churchills arrived last week and went out as quick as they went in the store. The Smooth Yellow Bone is always a good seller and this one was no exception. There are a couple more Northfields that will be showing up this week.

Northfield #35 Churchill Yellow Rose

The knife news that really caught my attention last week was the announcement of the GEC #43 Oregon available after the first of the year.

I’ll admit I’ve been pretty bored with the recent releases from GEC. The Barlows have been beat to death. While the small knives are popular, there’s an abundance of them in the marketplace. We haven’t seen many big knives in a while from Great Eastern and this looks like a winner.

The first thing I thought was it looks like a large version of the #73. The 73 was one of my first GEC’s and I really liked it. The #43 is going to be a full 1/2″ longer at 4.25″, so should put it in the size class of the #23 which measured 4.5″, or about a 1/4″ longer then the new #43. My bet would be in the future we’ll see a locking version and possibly a 2 blade as well. It sounds to me like it should be a great ‘work’ knife that’s not going to be overly heavy in the pocket. Now, if we could just get GEC to upgrade it to a premium steel…..